MPBL founder Pacquiao files game-fixing raps vs SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) founder Senator Manny Pacquiao filed game-fixing complaints against the entire SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins, including all its players and officials, Wednesday, November 13.

Pacquiao filed a violation of Presidential Decree No. 483 case against 21 people, including 11 players from the Soccksargen, three Chinese nationals, team managers of two MPBL teams, and the team’s head coach.

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The decree penalizes betting, game-fixing, and point-shaving in sports contests.

MPBL founder Pacquiao files game-fixing raps vs. SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins

“This should serve as a serious reminder to all other teams in the MPBL that we are intolerant to any form of cheating and other unsportsmanlike behavior,” said Pacquiao in Filipino. “We formed the MPBL precisely to promote fair play in basketball, so I don’t want to hear anything that would besmirch the name of the league.”

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Senator Manny Pacquiao had previously suspended the entire SOCCSKSARGEN team after discovering allegations that there were game-fixing and other scheming activities the team had made in the MPBL.

Pacquiao said it was difficult for him to suspend such a team but had to take drastic measures to protect the integrity of the league.

The Senator named the game-fixing’s mastermind as a certain Chinese national “Mr. Sung.” Two others identified only as “Kein” and “Emma” as part of the syndicate.

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“We don’t have the complete name of Mr. Sung, but the NBI knows him already, and he is being pursued at the moment,” said Pacquiao’s legal counsel, Brando Viernesto.